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Audition Tips-Teacher Hand Out

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Teacher article

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Every day at the Melbourne Ballet Company resumes come in from all over the world from dancers wanting to audition for the company. The Melbourne Ballet Company holds auditions annually in Australia and this year had the first International audition in New York in January. I have hundreds of resumes to sift through each year and many hours of watching DVD auditions as well as holding the annual auditions to find the dancers that best fit our company.

Here are a few of my top audition tips to help dancers get the most out of every audition opportunity.

1. Learn as much as you can about the company/job you are auditioning for. It's very frustrating as a Director when dancers at our auditions are not familiar with the kind of repertoire we do, our choreographers, our Principal dancers and the style of the company. Go to performances, attend master classes or company classes, watch you tube clips from the company and research the company website.

2. Know yourself as a dancer. Understand your personal strengths and weaknesses and the field that you want to audition for.

3. Do as many auditions as you can for the experience of auditioning. You will take away valuable lessons from every audition experience.

4. Have a professionally set out resume with no spelling mistakes and good dance photos and a headshot taken by an experienced dance photographer. It's hard to believe but once I was posted a resume from a beautiful dancer but unfortunately she did not put on any contact details so I had no phone number, no address and no email to contact her!

5. Its always nice to receive a thank you letter or email after the audition, as not only does this give the company feedback on the audition process but it also acts as a reminder of who you are.

6. Dress appropriately for the audition and bring all the required shoes/equipment! It's not good to have to explain that you forgot your pointe shoes when auditioning for a ballet company! Your company research will help knowing exactly what to bring.

7. Get good nights sleep before the audition and have a good breakfast so you have sufficient energy. Bring healthy easy to digest snacks to keep in your bag in case the audition takes longer than expected. Don't forget water!

8. Be on time! Research the audition address and know exactly how you are going to get there and how long it will take. We had 3 dancers turn up after plies at our last audition! If they cant get there on time for the audition then they are probably not going to be reliable and punctual for us to employ!

9. Allow sufficient time to warm up. I always watch the dancers as they warm up as I can get a really good understanding of how they work and apply themselves even before the audition starts.

10. Don't be afraid to ask questions. It's really nice when a dancer has the confidence to ask the choreographer clarify a step or ask an intelligent question about the job they are auditioning for.

11. When you are taught the choreography try to do it exactly as the choreographer asks and moves. Don't add your own interpretation unless you have been asked to. If we see you doing something different then we assume you don't know the steps.

12. Remember the panel want to see you enjoying the work, so smile and show them how much you enjoy dancing.

13. If you are submitting a DVD audition make sure you ask exactly what the company requires on the DVD. Present your DVD professionally and don't overdo it!

14. Remember you have nothing to lose and there is always another chance in the future so just do your best and have fun!

Author

Alisa Finney

Alisa Finney

Alisa Finney re launched the Melbourne Ballet Company in 2007 and she carries responsibilities in artistic direction, programming and professional development for the company. Her successful career as a Principal ballet teacher at Gay Wightman School of Ballet for over 20 years is ably supported with an Advanced Diploma in Dance Teaching from the Australian Ballet School (Distinction), Borovansky Memorial Australian Academy of Dancing Diploma, Australian Institute of Classical Dance Licenciate Diploma, Bachelor of Applied Science (RMIT) and Bachelor of Business Administration (RMIT), plus multiple certificates in pedagogical studies that enhance her career in dance education. As Principal of the Gay Wightman School of Ballet she puts on 3 student productions annually with over 400 performers, teaches the Vaganova based BMAAD syllabus from Pre-Primary to Solo Seal and is a teacher of VCE and VET Dance as well as private coaching. Alisa has developed a 13 level elite student dance program- the Melbourne Ballet Company Coaching School, and she delivers and co- ordinates teachers development days in this system of training. Students are submitted in exams for this through the Australasian Dance Assessment. A vision to create a ballet company has been hers for many years. As a manager of a performing arts organisation she has taken the primary role to initiate and develop the Melbourne Ballet Company, securing its clear direction and future through bringing in key alliances and ensuring a stable management structure for the company. To maintain the momentum of a professional company that is high in integrity with committed and loyal personnel in the competitive environment that is Melbournes arts scene has earned her great respect within the industry and abroad. Now in its fourth year of operation, and with nine successful performance seasons, Alisa has provided a surety for Melbourne Ballet Company’s future.

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